Skip Types: Your Waste, Smarter & Greener

Skip Hire Prices & Cost Guide September 26, 2025 Quick Answer: Our recent booking data shows the average skip hire prices range between £180 and £755 for 4 yard skips to large 40-yard containers, depending on factors like size, location, and duration of hire. Additional fees may apply for permits, excess weight, and prohibited items. It’s one of the most frequently asked questions by customers. Everyone is looking for cheap skip hire without compromising on quality, and that’s exactly what Skip Hire Team is known for. Whether you’re doing a home renovation, a garden clearance, or managing a construction site, hiring a skip is one of the most efficient ways to dispose of waste. This guide covers everything about skip hire costs, including the average cost of skip hire, skip prices by size and city, and tips to keep your waste removal budget-friendly. Average Skip Hire Prices by Size Let’s have a look at the average cost to hire skips from 4 yard midi skip to large 12 yard skips.  Any doubt about what skip size I need to choose? Check out our guide to select the right skip size that fits based on your waste volume. Let’s explore the average cost to hire a skip:  4 Yard Skip £110 – £245 Holds: 30–40 bin bags Ideal for garage, loft, or garden waste Low-cost skip hire option Learn More 6 Yard Skip £230 – £305 Holds: 50–60 bin bags Great for kitchen or bathroom renovations Balanced size and price Learn More 8 Yard Skip £270 – £330 Holds: 60–80 bin bags Builders’ waste and furniture Great value for larger clear-outs Learn More 10 Yard Skip £320 – £420 Holds: 80–100 bin bags Ideal for bulky light waste Still affordable skip cost for its size Learn More 12 Yard Skip £360 – £455 Holds: 100–120 bin bags Shop refits, warehouse clear-outs High volumes of light bulky items Learn More Looking for the cheapest skip hire option? Our 4-yard skip is the ideal and budget-friendly choice for small household waste removal. Skip Hire Prices Near Me Prices vary by location and several other factors. We made it easy to calculate how much to hire a skip in seconds. Use our skip cost calculator below by simply entering your postcode to know the  final cost in your location.  How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Skip? Prices change by region. Use our instant quote tool to check skip hire prices near you. Below are current averages for different locations: Location 4 & 6 Yard 8 & 10 Yard 12 Yard London £180–£305 £320–£430 £440–£455 Kent £170–£300 £320–£420 £420–£460 Croydon £210–£300 £310–£425 £410–£450 Sutton £220–£290 £328–£428 £424–£445 Enfield £222–£297 £320–£430 £440–£455 Luton £198–£299 £310–£425 £430–£444 Wembley £210–£305 £322–£420 £430–£450 Maidstone £175–£302 £322–£427 £444–£453 Abingdon £182–£299 £321–£429 £444–£452 Southampton £188–£300 £310–£422 £444–£453 Ilford £189–£301 £315–£415 £440–£452 Romford £176–£302 £312–£422 £442–£455 Dagenham £178–£297 £313–£423 £436–£453 Milton Keynes £188–£304 £299–£429 £442–£454 Bexleyheath £199–£302 £311–£422 £443–£453 Portsmouth £179–£299 £322–£427 £442–£451 Hounslow £198–£289 £322–£420 £442–£452 Ealing £182–£298 £322–£428 £441–£453 Harrow £188–£303 £321–£427 £441–£445 Guildford £177–£299 £321–£422 £437–£451 Slough £199–£301 £321–£429 £440–£455 Reading £220–£305 £320–£428 £440–£455 Please note: These are approximate, average skip prices (inclusive of VAT). The final skip hire cost you pay can be affected by specific waste transfer station fees and council charges in your immediate postcode area. Use our instant quote tool to get local pricing in seconds. Key Factors That Affect Skip Hire Cost Skip hire costs vary from location to location and depend on many other factors, including the skip size you choose, the hire period etc. 1. Skip Sizes The cost of skip hire is mostly affected by the size of the skip. Larger skips are more expensive than smaller ones. Choosing the right size helps avoid paying for space you don’t need. 2. Location Location matters. Skip hire prices vary for each location, and prices are always higher in the South of England. For example, skip hire costs in London or other busy urban areas are higher due to high demand, while rural areas tend to have lower costs. 3. Council Permit Fees If you place the skip on public land (like a roadside), you’ll need a permit from your local council. Permit fees usually range from £50 to £90 and will add to your total cost. 4. Skip Hire Duration The longer you keep the skip, the more it may cost. Most people hire skips for about a week. Some companies charge extra for extended periods, so return it on time to avoid extra fees. 5. Weight Limits Each skip has a weight limit. If you go over, you may be charged extra. Pack your skip carefully and stay within the limit to avoid surprise charges. 6. Prohibited Items You can throw away common items like wood, garden waste, metal, paper, and rubble. But hazardous materials (like asbestos, chemicals, and some electronics) are not allowed. If prohibited items are found, extra charges may apply, and the skip might not be collected. How to Get the Cheapest Skip Hire Prices Saving money on skip hire is easier than you might think! By following a few simple tips, you can reduce your costs while still enjoying the waste removal service you need. Choose the Right Skip Size: Selecting the correct size is essential. A skip that’s too large means paying for unused space, while a smaller skip may require an additional hire, increasing costs. Compare Quotes from Different Companies: Getting multiple quotes can help you find the best deal available, ensuring you don’t overpay. Look for Discounts or Offers: Many skip hire companies offer promotions that can save you money. Keep an eye out for these deals to reduce your expenses. Avoid restricted waste that can trigger extra fees FAQ’s About Skip Hire Cost Our FAQ section covers everything you need to know, from permit requirements to skip sizes and waste types.  Are there any additional costs beyond the skip price? Yes, potential additional costs include: Council permit (if placed on a

What Can and Can’t You Put in a Skip? A Comprehensive List Short answer: Most general household, garden, and DIY waste is fine. Any hazardous items like electricals, gas bottles, tyres, and some treated/ upholstered items aren’t. If in doubt, ask us before you load. Whether you’re renovating your house, cleaning out your small or large garden waste, or tackling a commercial or industrial site, the first questions that often arise is: “What can and can’t I put in a skip?” When hiring a skip for your home or business project Our skips are the most reliable and affordable way to dispose of household, commercial waste or any industrial waste. So it’s important to know what items local skip hire companies allow to be placed into a skip and what can’t be disposed of in a skip to avoid penalties by complying with legal requirements. Have a look at the complete list of hazardous or non-hazardous waste. Table of Contents What Can You Put in a Skip? 1. General Household Waste Packaging (cardboard, plastics), paper, magazines Soft furnishings & textiles (non-POPs), curtains, rugs Non-electrical toys, books, kitchenware, small ceramics You can conveniently manage these with our 4-yard skip hire or 6-yard skip hire services. 2. Construction and Renovation Waste If you are working on small to large buildings or renovation projects, skips are a helpful way to dispose of your construction waste, including: Wood/timber, doors, tiles, ceramics Concrete, bricks, rubble (≤8-yard skips; weight limits apply) Plasterboard, keep separate (request a segregated bag/section) For heavier loads, consider our 8-yard skip hire or 10-yard skip hire options. 3. Garden or Green Waste Small skips are ideal for disposing of green waste, such as Grass, leaves, hedge trimmings, plants Small branches/twigs Soil/turf: OK within weight limits (call us if loading a lot) Small or large garden waste is accepted in skips, but if you plan to dispose of large tree stumps or large amounts of soil call our professionals for more details. Easily be disposed of with our garden waste removal skip or 12-yard skip hire for larger projects. 4. Metal Waste Metal waste can usually be disposed of in skips, including: Metal pipes Broken metal furniture Drink cans and Bedframes Aluminium or steel sheets Scrap metal (e.g., old bicycles or metal parts) Most of the skip hire companies allow a higher percentage of metal waste: 5. Office or Commercial Waste Desks, chairs (non-upholstered), filing cabinets, paper/cardboard Tip: If you’re unsure, ask. Some “borderline” items can be accepted with a small surcharge and prior approval. What You Can’t Put in a Skip? Restricted Waste 1. Hazardous Waste Hazardous materials are extremely dangerous for both the environment and waste management workers. Make sure these materials are never placed in a skip: Paint (including cans of old paint) Solvents (e.g., paint thinners) Pesticides and herbicides Asbestos (requires specialist disposal) Discuss over a call Oils (engine oil, cooking oil, etc.) Chemicals (e.g., cleaning agents, bleach) Batteries (including household and car batteries) Do instead: use council HWRC/hazardous facility or licensed contractor (asbestos). 2. Electrical and Electronic Waste (WEEE) Electrical and electronic waste require separate recycling due to the valuable materials they contain and their environmental impact. include: Televisions and computer screens Fridges and freezers  Washing machines, microwaves and dishwashers Mobile phones, tablets, laptops Other small electronics Air conditioning units Do instead: council WEEE site or retailer take-back. Learn how to Dispose of Your Fridge Freezer Properly Here 3. Medical Waste Due to health and safety risks, certain medical items cannot be disposed of in a skip and must be treated with extra care. These include: Syringes and needles Pharmaceuticals (expired or unused medications) Contaminated medical items  Do instead: licensed clinical waste service. 4. Mattresses Skip hire companies do not allow mattresses in a skip. Considered non-recyclable waste because of the materials involved, such as foam, springs, and fabric. Use specific recycling centres and mattress collection services for efficient disposal. With a small fee, some councils offer mattress collection services. Mattresses and divan beds (UK regulations prevent these from being disposed of in regular skips) Mattress springs and foam (must be taken to a recycling facility) Our policy: accepted by pre-approval with £40–£70 + VAT per mattress. Please confirm before booking. 5. Tyres Tyres, including car, van, truck, or motorcycle tyres, cannot be disposed of in skips under UK waste regulations. This is due to several key reasons: They are extremely difficult to break down and do not decompose naturally. Tyres pose a high fire risk, making them a safety hazard in landfills and skip bins. They require specialist processing and recycling at authorised facilities. What to Do Instead: Take old tyres to a local tyre recycling centre, return them to a garage, or ask your tyre retailer if they offer a take-back service. 6. Flammable or Explosive Materials Highly combustible or explosive items are strictly banned from all skip types due to the extreme safety risks they pose during transport and processing. These include: Fireworks and ammunition Petrol, diesel, and other liquid fuels Lighters, matches, and gas fire starters These materials can ignite or explode under pressure or heat, risking serious harm to people and property. What to Do Instead: Please contact a specialist hazardous waste disposal expert or your local council for safe disposal. 7. Paint and Paint Cans Old or unused paint, along with empty or partially full paint cans, must not be thrown into a skip. This includes: Solvent-based paints Emulsion paints Varnishes and wood treatments Paint contains toxic chemicals and poses risks to our environment and workers who handle it. Paint Disposal Tips: Take the remaining paint to a local (HWRC) Household Waste Recycling Centre that accepts paint waste. If it’s in usable condition, consider donating to reuse projects or community art centres. 8. Gas Canisters and Propane Tanks Never try to place gas cylinders and canisters in a skip, that’s very dangerous, whether they are full or empty. These include: Propane, butane, and LPG tanks Helium or CO2 canisters Camping stove